Open Access Nano Express

Double-ligand modulation for engineering magnetic nanoclusters

Bongjune Kim1, Jaemoon Yang2, Eun-Kyung Lim2, Joseph Park1, Jin-Suck Suh2, Hyo S Park3, Yong-Min Huh2* and Seungjoo Haam1*

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Author affiliations

1 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 120-749, Republic of Korea

2 Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea

3 Department of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 120-749, Republic of Korea

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Citation and License

Nanoscale Research Letters 2013, 8:104 doi:10.1186/1556-276X-8-104

Published: 22 February 2013

Abstract

Magnetic nanoclusters (MNCs) are agglomerated individual magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that show great promise in increasing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitivity. Here, we report an effective strategy to engineer MNCs based on double-ligand modulation to enhance MRI sensitivity. The oleic acid-coated individual MNPs self-assembled and then were enveloped by polysorbate 80, using a nanoemulsion method to prepare MNCs. By modulating the amounts of the two ligands, and thus the size and magnetic content of the resultant MNCs, we were able to enormously improve MRI sensitivity.

Keywords:
Magnetic nanoparticle; Double-ligand modulation; Nanoemulsion; Magnetic nanocluster; Magnetic resonance imaging